Are Frilled Sharks Extinct Is a Concern for Conservation

Frilled sharks have been swimming in our oceans for over 80 million years, but their numbers are dwindling.

They are found in deep, temperate, and tropical waters around the world, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Despite their wide distribution, frilled sharks are a rare sight, and their populations are difficult to track.

In fact, they are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Frilled sharks are far from extinct. In fact, one was found alive in Australia earlier this month near Lakes Entrance in Gippsland.

This "Living Fossil" has been around since the Cretaceous epoch, 72-million years ago, making it one of two living species from a nearly extinct genus of shark.

The frilled shark in question was nearly as long as the longest specimen ever found, measuring 2-meters front to back, with around 300 needle-like teeth in 25 rows that make it a formidable hunter.

For another approach, see: Extinct Sharks Found Alive

Frilled sharks are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

The species is considered rare to uncommon in deepwater areas, and is often caught as bycatch in various fisheries.

Frilled sharks are not an important target species, but are regularly caught in bottom trawl, midwater trawl, deep-set longline, and deep-set gillnet fisheries.

Expansion of deepwater fisheries effort may increase the levels of bycatch, which could be a concern for the species.

As bycatch, frilled sharks are either used for meat, fishmeal, or discarded.

Occasionally, frilled sharks are kept in aquaria, as seen in Japan.

Little is known about the life history of frilled sharks, but it's likely that they have very little resilience to depletion due to exploitation.

Frilled sharks have rarely been seen in their natural habitat by humans. A Frilled shark was first spotted by humans in 2004.

There have been very few encounters between frilled sharks and humans. One such encounter occurred in Japan in 2007, when a Frilled shark was caught by fishermen.

Frilled sharks are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that they are not considered to be threatened with extinction.

Frilled sharks have been found alive in Australia, specifically near Lakes Entrance in Gippsland.

This species, the Chlamydoselachus anguineus, is one of two living species from a nearly extinct genus of sharks.

The frilled shark has around 300 needle-like teeth in 25 rows, making it a formidable hunter.

Its massive amount of teeth and alignment of said teeth allow it to catch its prey with ease.

The longest specimen ever found was nearly 2 meters long, from front to back.

All specimens captured have had dark brown skin.

Its unique body shape, with dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins set far back, allows it to move quickly and twist with ease.

The frilled shark's flexible jaws also enable it to swallow its prey whole.

This shark's ability to survive in the wild is uncertain, as one specimen was found on a fishing vessel and may not have survived being brought back to the water.